CHICKASHA – Home athletic events at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma will become more accessible to parents and out-of-town fans this year as the Drovers will host live stream video of home games, USAO sports information office and the athletic department announced Wednesday.

Games will have live video streaming in real time along with live stats, a convenience USAO added in 2010. To see both, click on the “Live Stats and Broadcast” link on USAO’s sports website, usao.edu/sports.

The video will be streamed in high definition in order to provide the best quality and will be completely free to the viewer.

“We are excited to add this feature for our fans and parents,” athletic director Brisco McPherson said. “Many of our programs attract athletes from outside the state and country. We are thankful we can now offer this feature for parents and family to watch their athletes perform as Drovers.”

Using the popular video-sharing service provider YouTube, streaming will be available for all six USAO sports that currently have home events, including men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s basketball, baseball and softball.

Finding funding to initiate this project without needing to offset the costs by charging the customers per game or per season was important.

“I am delighted we are able to offer the service for free to our fans,” said Jessica Jackson, sports information director and assistant director of communications and marketing. “Of course, we still ask area fans to come out and support our Drovers in person whenever possible. Home fans are important to the game, and we know USAO has the best ones around.”

Live streaming will be available for most home games. Conflict will arise when two sports have games at the same time as USAO only has one set of equipment.

USAO will begin live streaming at the Drover soccer home opener on Sept. 5. The Drovers take on University of Texas-Brownville at 1 and 3 p.m.